Pneumatic & Helium Leak Testing Services in KSA
A system can pass a hydrotest and still leak gas. Pneumatic and helium leak tests find the small leaks that matter in gas, hydrogen and toxic service, and prove the joints are tight before start-up.
Finding the leaks a water test cannot
Gas molecules pass through gaps that water will not, so systems in gas, hydrogen or toxic service often need a tighter test than a hydrotest. Pneumatic testing pressurizes the system with air or nitrogen, and helium leak testing adds helium as a tracer gas, which a detector can pick up at very small concentrations around each joint.
Pneumatic tests store far more energy than water tests, so they are planned with care: exclusion zones, staged pressurizing, relief protection and a written procedure approved before the test. Where a pneumatic strength test is not required, a low-pressure leak test with nitrogen and helium is often the better choice.
Leak tests follow naturally from our nitrogen services and from controlled bolt torquing, so the crew that closed the joints can prove them before the unit starts up.
Leak test methods we use
The method is chosen from the service fluid, the code and how tight the system must be.
Pneumatic testing
The system is pressurized with air or nitrogen in stages, with exclusion zones and relief protection throughout.
Helium sniffer testing
Helium is added to the test gas and a mass spectrometer detector is passed around each joint to find leaks.
Nitrogen-helium leak test
A nitrogen and helium mixture at operating or test pressure is used to check every joint before start-up.
Bubble testing
Leak detection solution is applied to joints under gas pressure for a quick visual check.
Pressure decay monitoring
Pressure is held and logged to check the system for loss over time.
Repair and re-test
Leaking joints are marked, repaired by our bolting crew and tested again.
Hydrotest, pneumatic test or helium test?
| Factor | Hydrotest | Pneumatic test | Helium leak test |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Strength and tightness | Strength and tightness where water cannot be used | Finding small leaks |
| Test medium | Water | Air or nitrogen | Helium or nitrogen-helium mix |
| Stored energy | Low | High | Low to moderate, depending on pressure |
| Leak sensitivity | Visible leaks | Bubble or pressure loss | Very small leaks with a detector |
| Typical use | Most piping and pipelines | Systems that must stay dry | Gas, hydrogen and toxic service |
Our leak testing process
Each test follows an approved procedure.
Agree the procedure
Test method, pressure, hold time and acceptance criteria are agreed with your engineers.
Set up safely
Exclusion zones, relief valves and calibrated gauges are installed.
Pressurize in stages
Pressure is raised step by step with checks at each stage.
Search for leaks
Joints are checked with a detector or solution while pressure is held.
Repair and re-test
Leaking joints are repaired and tested again.
Depressurize and record
The system is depressurized safely and the results recorded.
Where leak testing is used
Systems where gas leaks are a safety or environmental risk.
Gas plants
High-pressure gas systems before gas is reintroduced.
Hydrogen and ammonia
Systems with very strict leak-tightness requirements.
Refinery start-ups
Units returning to service after turnaround bolting.
Toxic and sour service
Systems where any leak is a health risk.
Instrument and utility gas
Small-bore systems that must stay dry.
New plant commissioning
Final leak tests before first start-up.
Services that go with leak testing
Leak tests usually come after bolting and before start-up.
Nitrogen Purging
Inerting, oxygen-free purging, drying and nitrogen leak testing before start-up or after maintenance.
View nitrogen purgingHydrotest
Hydrostatic pressure testing of piping, vessels and spools with calibrated pumps, gauges and recorders.
View hydrotestPre-Commissioning
Test packs, hydrotests, leak tests, drying, purging and reinstatement from one crew.
View pre-commissioningBolt Torquing
Hydraulic torque wrenches and stud tensioners applying a calculated bolt load, pass by pass, with a tagged record for each joint.
View bolt torquingFlange Management
Joint registers, bolt load calculations, tagging and records for every flange in a shutdown.
View flange managementFlange Weld & Valve Testing
Isolation testing of flange and in-line welds, and pressure testing of valves.
View flange weld & valve testingPneumatic and helium leak testing in KSA: common questions
Is pneumatic testing dangerous?
Compressed gas stores much more energy than water, so pneumatic tests are only done under a written procedure with exclusion zones, staged pressurizing and relief protection.
Why use helium for leak testing?
Helium atoms are very small and harmless, and a mass spectrometer detector can sense very low concentrations, which makes it possible to find leaks too small for other methods.
Can you leak test after your bolting crew finishes?
Yes. The same team can tighten the joints and then leak test them, repairing any leaking joint before start-up.
Do you supply the nitrogen and helium?
We can arrange nitrogen and helium supply for the test, or use the gas available on site.
Need a system leak tested?
Send the system description, design pressure, service fluid and location. We will reply with a method and price.
- Phone+966 50 605 8927
- Emailalviqaisar@gmail.com
- BaseEastern Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- HoursOffice Sunday to Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM. Field call-outs any day, any hour.